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Matador Wipes Blood From Bull's Face Before Killing It

Matador Wipes Blood From Bull's Face Before Killing It

The bullfighter has been criticised over the killing

Claire Reid

Claire Reid

This article contains images of bullfighting that you may find distressing. If you'd rather not see them, click away now.

A matador has been hit with heavy criticism after he was filmed wiping away the bloody 'tears' of an injured bull before killing the animal.

Morante de la Puebla, 39, was taking part in a bullfighting festival at the Real Maestranza bullring in Seville when the incident happened.

Footage filmed during the event was shared online and has racked up more than 2.3 million views, with many social media users condemning the matador for his actions.

In the clip, the stricken bull can be seen with four banderillas - the brightly coloured spiked sticks used by matadors - poking out of its back.

Silvia Barquero Nogales, leader of Spain's Animalist Party Against Mistreatment of Animals (PACMA), said: "Only a malicious and perverse mind could torture an animal until the blood pours down its legs and then wipe its face with a tissue.

"The matador is just disguising his lack of empathy. Abolish bullfighting now!"

Others chimed in with similar sentiments, branding the bullfighter 'sadistic' and 'hypocritical' as after seemingly showing some sympathy to the wounded bull, he then went on to kill it.

However, bullfighting fans spoke out in his defence, saying that wiping away the blood as he did is a way of showing respect to the animal. I'm sure it'd be more respectful to not kill it in the first place, but according to some it's the 'done thing', with other popular matadors, including Jose Gomez Ortega, doing the same.

The matador has come in from criticism from animal-lovers.
CEN

Bullfighting is still a very contentious issue in Spain - with many calling for it to be banned and others insisting it is part of tradition and culture in the country.

Regardless of where you stand on the matter, it's a dangerous 'sport' which sees matadors injured on a fairly regular basis.

French bullfighter Sebastian Castella was gored by a bull last year during an event at Las Ventas building in Madrid, Spain.

In shocking footage, the bull could be seen charging at Castella, sending him crashing to the ground. The bull then lashed Castella's legs into the air using its horns and flipping his body before stamping on him.

Castella covered his head while other matadors ran into the bullring in an attempt to distract the bull.

He was taken from the ring, but later returned to kill the bull. He was presented with its horns as a 'trophy'.

Featured Image Credit: CEN

Topics: World News, Spain, Animals